The 50 Greatest Male Singers Ever
Submitted by slipkid71 on Tue, 07/22/2003 - 09:35
Tags:
- Frank Sinatra
- Elvis Presley
- Mick Jagger
- Van Morrison
- Otis Redding
- Bob Dylan
- Marvin Gaye
- Roy Orbison
- John Lennon
- Ray Charles
- Johnny Cash
- James Brown
- Tony Bennett
- Michael Jackson
- Stevie Wonder
- Sam Cooke
- Robert Plant
- Nat "King" Cole
- Tom Jones
- David Bowie
- Smokey Robinson
- Bob Marley
- Hank Williams
- Bono
- Paul McCartney
- Leonard Cohen
- Elton John
- Bruce Springsteen
- Bryan Ferry
- Peter Gabriel
- Freddie Mercury
- Elvis Costello
- Willie Nelson
- Gordon Lightfoot
- Sting
- Roger Daltrey
- Billy Joel
- Neil Young
- Iggy Pop
- Charles Azvanour
- Morrissey
- Lou Reed
- Tom Waits
- Carlos Gardel
- Wilson Pickett
- Paul Simon
- Julio Iglesias
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
- Mel Torme
- Serge Gainsbourg
Author Comments:
I'm pretty sure this list will generate some discussion and controversy. I'd like to point out that sheer talent is not the sole criteria for inclusion on this list. Personality, presence, choice of songs and, most importantly, how the songs are sung were the prevailing reasons for placing a singer higher or lower on the list. Anyway, here it is, feel free to discuss.
I would say certainly Kurt Cobain for his presence.
Also, maybe Michael Stipe, Beck, and Jack White to name some other newer artists.
I think of Cobain as a better songwriter and guitarist; his voice drove me nuts. I almost put Michael Stipe on this list. He's certainly one of my favorite vocalists ever.
For your consideration...
Gravel voice wonders:
Joe Cocker
Bob Seger
Rod Stewart
Robert Palmer - As a soloist and lead.
Jackie Wilson - Powerful singer with great songs.
Aaron Neville - With or without his brothers.
Greg Allman - Soulful blues with a long history.
Chris Cornell - Sheer strength and power.
Jim Reeves - Started the new era in 1950's Nashville.
Ray Charles - My Top 20 at least.
George Jones - No. 1 by everyone on the country side.
Leon Redbone - Wha? Style alone.
I must be a moron. How could I forget Ray Charles? I'll add him to this list immediately.
I certainly like the other names you've mentioned, but I'm afraid they don't crack my Top 50. Top 100, for sure.
May I humbly submit Paul Westerburg? He had the certian... I don't know what.
And let us not forget the purple one. No I don't mean Barney - Prince.
Do I detect a bias (positive, of course) towards Minneapolis?
Where's that singer from The Yams?
Jeff Buckley or his father Tim Buckley? If you haven't heard them you should
I adore Jeff Buckley, and he would certainly make my list, but he didn't have a large enough body of material to warrant an inclusion here. It's such a pity he died so young; he could easily have been one of the ten best ever.
Bob Dylan-sigh.... not again
David Bowie- seems out of place for some reason
Bono- I think he whines a bit too much
Still unquestionably Frank is the king.
Me thinks me will make another list...the remaining 50 Greatest Male Singers.
lol, better include Tom Petty, though.
Some might say Frank is king, some might say Elvis is king, but   Paul Rodgers   is God.
Wow, rather mighty list here! I think I will need a few days just to absorb this!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
where and when were you all born?lyme regis 1990?have you ever heard steve marriot?he makes all the others look and sound like nanny goats
What about Ozzy Osbourne? May not have the best voice in the world but his is unique, instantly recognisable and employed very well within the context of his genre. On top of that he certainly has personality and presence by your original criteria. Not to mention longevity - 30+ years in the business although how he's managed that after all the drugs/alcohol I'm not sure.
In fact his effect has been so strong in the industry that they even have a festival named after him (Ozzfest) where bands and the audience come to celebrate all things Ozzy.
PERRY COMO PERRY COMO PERRY COMO -----Listen to his smooth strong voice
Yeah! The dude owns "Silver Bells". Warning: Possible bias caused by current season.
While I find many of your listed singer worthy on the list I would most definitely change some positions around. But how on earth could you leave out Morten Harket from A-Ha? Okay he is not necessarily known for his solo work but hey this man has got a voice almost like Mariah Carey in terms of vocal ability. He is my personal #1. Check out his vocals in A-Ha's "Living A Boy's Adventure Tale" or "Hunting High & Low".
I would also like to see Cliff Richard in that list (he has apparently sold more records in UK than Elvis!)...and where is George Michael or Billy Ocean?!?
you must be kidding right? Sam Cooke at number 16? John Gary totally absent from the list, even though he was sinatra AND Elvis' favorite singer?
This is a joke.
Elton John should be in at least the top 25 of this list
I think I speak for everyone when I say: "Where the hell is ZP Theart?!"
This list is absolutely incorrect. Josh Groban is not even on the list? How is this even possible? He should be in the top 3 easily. Perhaps this list needs revised....
male singers,,,or most successful male singers,,,,how the hell is mick jagger /bob dylan above freddie mercury,,,,,,while i love dylan and the stones,,,,,i would concede that mercury is one hell of a singer,,,dylan and jagger couldnt carry one of his tunes
the guy that made the list had this criteria "sheer talent is not the sole criteria for inclusion on this list. Personality, presence, choice of songs and, most importantly, how the songs are sung",,,,,mercury had this in abundance,,,,and dont get me wrong,,,i aint no queen fan,,,,but its his ultra low positioning on this list that wrankles,,,,,,,,,in fact ,,,re-examining this list,,,,its way off,,,,,,,,,,dissapointed,,,,,someone,,,for the love of god come up with a top ten based on pure singing ability,charisma,showmanship,that actually makes bloody sense
Where's Waylon Jennings??? You have Johnny Cash, who mostly talks, but no Waylon? Willie Nelson? But no Waylon? Strange...